2025 is quickly coming to a close. As the year winds down, there are a few things to consider as a solopreneur. It might seem like a good time to coast to the finish line. However, you don’t want to lose all momentum going into the New Year. How you end this year can set you up for success in 2026. Don’t miss the opportunity to get organized, reflect on the year, and finish the year strong. Whether you’re a YouTuber, wedding photographer, designer, or a multi-platform creator, these five tips will help you finish 2025 on the right foot.
Start Organizing Taxes NOW!
Don’t wait until the clock strikes midnight to begin organizing your tax documents. Taxes can be a massive headache for those who are self-employed, especially for content creators. Collect receipts, update driving logs, and tie up any loose ends when it comes to accounting. You might be doing your taxes yourself or hiring a professional. Either way, it’s best to be organized well in advance rather than add stress to your life next spring. If you wait, you’ll have to scramble to put together your taxes.
If this is your first year of filing while self-employed, hiring a professional to do your taxes may be well worth the money. A professional accountant will be updated on the most recent rules and regulations. This will not only save you time but also money when your taxes are filed correctly. However, it’s still important to be organized. Many accountants charge by the hour, so the more organized you are, the more money you can save.
Purchase Equipment for Tax Benefits
Another benefit to getting your taxes organized is that you can see roughly how much money you made or lost. Gear purchases can help offset income, as equipment can be used as a deductible. If you’re making a profit, it may be worth considering purchasing any equipment you’ve had your eyes on. This will help you to offset the amount of taxes you’ll be paying come April. Not to mention that many companies are running year-end sales that can help you get the best savings possible.
If you’re looking to pick up new equipment, check out the selection at Adorama.com.
Assess the Year
Take a moment to reflect on the year. What worked, and what didn’t? As a solopreneur, it’s crucial that you keep adapting if you want to have a successful business. The things that worked well one year might not be what works well the next, so it’s important to have a critical eye and not be afraid to slash anything that didn’t work. There are only so many hours in the day, so devoting your time to something that isn’t yielding excellent results is a waste of time and can cause you to miss out on other opportunities.
The most successful solopreneurs understand that their business should adapt every year. If something isn’t serving you, don’t feel bad about dropping it and looking for something else to fill its place.
Clean Out Old/Unused Gear
If the end of the year also marks the downtime and end of season for you, it’s a great time to go through your equipment. Perhaps you have gear that didn’t get used the whole year: it may be time to pass it on to its next home. If you’re selling cameras, lenses, or other photo and video equipment, Adorama can take your equipment and give you cash for it. It’s easy to get a quick quote online and send your gear in, putting cash in your pocket to purchase new equipment.
Additionally, if you’re looking to save money, consider buying used equipment in return. There are tons of gear in like-new condition that works and functions perfectly at a fraction of the cost.
Organize and Back Up Photos and Videos
The end of the year is a great time to back up all of your photos, videos, and edits. Nothing is worse than losing hours of work to a hard drive failure, so backing up is a necessity for all creators. Drives aren’t designed to last forever; most last only 3-5 years before failure. It’s crucial to have multiple backups of your content to protect from drive failure, theft, fire, or loss.
Most people underestimate the importance of backing up their photos until they experience a loss. If you don’t have a solid backup method set up, do this now, or you will regret it later.
By setting aside a small amount of time to close off 2025, you not only finish the year right but also set yourself up to succeed in 2026. With organized taxes, new gear, and media that are safely backed up, there is nothing that can stop you in the New Year. So take a few days and invest in yourself and the backend of your business, and you surely won’t regret it.
